Bisley Workwear’s Colin Sieders has arrived at the infamous Mount Panorama street circuit today, ahead of this weekend’s Round 5 of the Fujistu V8 Supercar Series, only weeks after a significant health scare threatened to force Sieders to withdraw from the Round.
With ongoing health complications arising after he survived a fatal car accident at the age of 15, Sieders sought medical attention three weeks ago with heart-related concerns.
29 year-old Sieders was forced to miss out on joining brother David in the Sieders Racing Team’s Wildcard Entry for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in 2009 due to medical reasons, so was very relieved to be given the all-clear to return to the track, for the first time in two years.
“A few weeks ago, I noticed an irregular heart beat, and after getting it checked out, I had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours,” said Sieders, “I’ve had my regular doctor and another one look into everything, and I was given the all-clear a week later”.
“I love racing, and I was gutted at the thought of missing out on racing at Bathurst again,” said Sieders, “but at the end of the day, I’d rather miss a race than miss out watching my little girl grow up”.
With the all clear, Sieders jumped straight back into the driver’s seat, testing his Supercar at Eastern Creek, before heading down to Winton last week for his debut in the Australian National Truck Racing Organisation’s SuperTruck Sprint Series.
“I had my first race in a SuperTruck and my first win,” said Sieders, “it was good fun, side by side for a full lap at Winton in the wet”.
“But it wasn't to be…The engine let go in the morning warm up, but it was still great fun to finally get to race a truck. Thanks to Uncle Al, Glen and the boy for letting me have a drive.”
Only a two-hour drive from the track at his home in Penrith, Sieders will be competing at the Bathurst event with a brand new race suit made to match his striking livery.
“The support we’ve had from Bisley Workwear has been unbelievable,” said Sieders, “we’ve been running arguably the best livery this season, and now we have the matching race suit to look the part”.
On both the new suit and the Bisley Workwear V8 Supercar, Sieders will also be looking to display his support of long-term Team Charity Careflight, as well as the addition of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.
Both organisations feature prominently on the either side of the upper chest, whilst the windscreen banner will commemorate Careflight’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations currently under way, and the rear wing will sport the donateblood.com.au website of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.
“We’ve been working with Careflight for a few years, and more recently we’ve increased our involvement with the Red Cross, who, without the services of both organisations, I wouldn’t be alive today, so it is fitting to recognise their real-life support.”
V8 Supercar fans watching the event will also be given a driver’s perspective this weekend, with the NRMA coming on board for in-car broadcast cameras, as part of their continued support of Careflight.
“The NRMA have been long-time supporters of Careflight and see this as another way to help the organisation celebrate and spread the word on their 25 years of life saving operations.”
Click here for the story by Ten News on Careflight’s 25th Anniversary featuring Colin Sieders
This will be Sieders’ third Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series entry for the season, and with only one more planned at the Sydney Telstra 500 Grand Finale, the 29-year-old is working towards a full-time return in 2012.
“We’ve been having some really good discussions with some of our current partners, as well as some new ones that we’re bringing on board, and everything is looking good for a full season from next year.”
The Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series will hit the track tomorrow for Practice at 9:10am and 4:10pm, with Qualifying at 8:35am on Friday before Race 1 at 1:20pm, with the second and final race of the weekend on Saturday at 2:10pm. Both races will be shown 'as live' on Network Seven.
“I’m really keen to get back on the track, and where better than Bathurst…I don’t think there’s very much in the world of motorsport that compares to racing at Bathurst when the [Supercheap Auto] 1000 is on.”
